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Fluminense win 4th Brazilian league title

Tales Azzoni

Fluminense won their second Brazilian title in three years by beating Palmeiras 3-2 after a pair of goals by league-leading scorer Fred.

The striker scored an 88th-minute winner to give Fluminense the victory on Sunday and their fourth national title, adding to triumphs in 2010, 1984 and 1970.

Ronaldinho's Atletico Mineiro could have kept Fluminense from celebrating but only managed a 1-1 draw at Vasco da Gama.

The title was clinched with three rounds left, and Fluminense have a chance to break the record of points by the champions since the league began being played with 20 teams in 38 rounds in 2006.

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Sao Paulo reached 78 points then, and Fluminense currently have 76.

"We fought hard from the start and everyone made a lot of sacrifices for this," Fred said.

"It's great to see this group winning this title after giving all we had from the first match. This is well-deserved, there is no doubt about it."

Fluminense lifted the trophy after 22 wins, 10 draws and only three losses - to Gremio, Atletico Mineiro and already relegated Atletico Goianiense.

"There is not a lot people who can criticise our team after a campaign like this," said Fluminense coach Abel Braga, who won his first Brazilian league title.

Atletico were seeking their first championship since 1971, and Ronaldinho was looking for a first ever Brazilian league title.

The team dropped to third place in the standings after Gremio came from behind to defeat Sao Paulo 2-1 thanks to a late winner by Bolivia striker Marcelo Moreno, securing Vanderlei Luxemburgo's team in the Copa Libertadores next season.

The loss to Fluminense left eight-time champion Palmeiras closer to their second demotion in 10 years. They will have to erase a seven-point deficit to the first team out of relegation zone.

Palmeiras overcame a two-goal deficit in the second half on Sunday but Fred sealed Fluminense's victory with his 19th goal after a shot from near the penalty spot following a cross from midfielder Jean.

"Everybody needs to be congratulated, this is the most united group that I've ever played with," said the 29-year-old striker, who played for Brazil at the 2006 World Cup.